Disney sells record 40.9 billion in licensed merchandise in 2013

With properties like Marvel Superheroes, Disney Princesses, Pixar’s Cars, and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” the Walt Disney Company rang up a record 40.9 billion in global retail sales in 2013

The sales topped 2012′s $39.4 billion, $37.5 billion, in 2011, and $28.6 billion in 2010, according to Disney Consumer Products. Those kinds of numbers have long made the company the world’s top licensor.

Disney isn’t likely to give up that title anytime soon. …

It’s ramping up several major product pushes around “Cinderella,” the animated films “Inside Out” and “Big Hero 6,” Marvel’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Star Wars: Episode VII” coming out through the end of 2015.

Let’s not forget that little juggernaut “Frozen” either.

The question is what should Disney do with that windfall of profits? Could they invest in more animation? What about the theme parks? or how about something really ambitious? What project would you have Disney focus on next?

Photo Credit: Disney Consumer Products Executive Vice President of Global Licensing, Josh Silverman was joined by Mickey Mouse (center); Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios John Lasseter with Buzz Lightyear (center left); Senior Vice President of Marketing, Marvel Studios and Television at Marvel Entertainment Mike Pasciullo with Iron Man (left); and Executive Vice President of Franchise Management at Lucasfilm Howard Roffman with a Stormtrooper (right) during a private Disney Consumer Products event at the Licensing Expo, Monday June 16, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. For the first time ever, iconic characters from The Walt Disney Company’s four powerhouse brands—Disney, Disney-Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars stood together on stage, to the delight and excitement of licensees, retailers, and the entire licensing industry. Disney Consumer Products continues to be a dominant force as the #1 licensor in the world, and with its robust franchise portfolio, is poised to offer consumers a new collection of innovative products inspired by its rich stories and dynamic characters.

2 thoughts on “Disney sells record 40.9 billion in licensed merchandise in 2013”

I would love to see them invest in their parks so they are well positioned for the next few decades and beyond. I think we are seeing some of that now but I would like to see them being more aggressive with overhauls, redesigns and new attractions.